Foot controlled stand up zero turn radius utility vehicle

ABSTRACT

Some implementations can include a zero turn radius utility vehicle that is operated in a standing position by an operator using foot controls provided on the utility vehicle. Accordingly, the operator&#39;s hands are free to operate handheld equipment (e.g., a line trimmer, edger, blower, etc.) while the operator controls the utility vehicle via the foot controls. Further, the utility vehicle may have a single third wheel (and no mower deck or other deck or protrusion) extending from the front of the vehicle frame so as to minimize any protrusions to the front of the vehicle, which can permit the operator to work on the ground in front of the utility vehicle using handheld equipment without interference from a mower deck, while remaining in a standing position on the utility vehicle and being able to simultaneously control the utility vehicle (via foot controls) and perform work with handheld equipment.

FIELD

Embodiments relate generally to utility vehicles, and, more particularlyto a foot controlled stand up zero turn radius utility vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Some conventional utility vehicles may not be suitable for certainapplications such as operating handheld equipment (e.g., line trimmer,edger, hedge trimmer, etc.) due to a need for some conventional vehiclesto be operated by hand controls and/or due to the front of someconventional vehicles (e.g., a mower) having a platform or deck (e.g.,for a mower blade or other equipment) extending out from theconventional vehicle such that operating handheld equipment to contactthe ground (e.g., a line trimmer or edger) may be difficult orcumbersome.

One or more embodiments were conceived in light of the above-mentionedlimitations or problems, among other things.

SUMMARY

Some implementations can include a zero turn radius (each drive wheel isindependently controlled) utility vehicle that is operated in a standingposition (“stand up”) by an operator using foot controls provided on theutility vehicle. Accordingly, the operator's hands are free to operatehandheld equipment (e.g., a line trimmer, edger, blower, etc.) while theoperator controls the utility vehicle via the foot controls. Further,the utility vehicle may have a single third wheel (and no mower deck orother deck or protrusion) extending from the front of the vehicle frameso as to minimize any protrusions to the front, which can permit theoperator to work on the ground in front of the utility vehicle usinghandheld equipment (e.g., line trimmer, edger, hedge trimmer, blower,etc.) without interference from a mower deck or the like, whileremaining on the utility vehicle and being able to simultaneouslycontrol the utility vehicle (via foot controls) and perform work withhandheld equipment.

Some implementations can include a utility vehicle comprising a framehaving a single front caster wheel, a front operator support, a standingoperation section, a rear operator support, a right rear drive wheel anda left rear drive wheel. The utility vehicle can also comprise an enginecoupled to the frame and to a drive system configured to independentlycontrol respective speed and rotation direction of a left rear drivewheel and a right rear drive wheel. The utility vehicle can furthercomprise a foot control section disposed in the standing operationsection having a left foot control, a stationary center portion and aright foot control, wherein the left and right foot controls areconnected to the drive system, and wherein the left foot controlcontrols the speed and direction of the left drive wheel and the rightfoot control controls the speed and direction of the right drive wheel.The stationary center portion can be elevated so as to extend above theleft foot control and the right foot control.

The utility vehicle can also include a removable elevated standingplatform having a standing section, railing, a first leg and a secondleg. The first leg can be longer than the second leg. The utilityvehicle can also include a sprayer system including a sprayer tank, asprayer handle, a sprayer pump coupled to the tank and the sprayerhandle. The utility vehicle can further comprise a sprayer handle holderdisposed adjacent to the sprayer tank.

The utility vehicle can also include an accessory tray disposed on therear operator support and extending toward the engine.

In some implementations, the engine can include a combustion engine andthe utility vehicle can include a fuel tank coupled to the engine. Inother implementations, the engine can include an electric motor and theutility vehicle can include a battery to power the electric motor.

The utility vehicle can also include an engine starter switch, athrottle control, and/or a brake control. The utility vehicle canfurther include a ballast weight disposed on an exterior of the frontoperator support.

The utility vehicle can also include an anti-tip device disposed on anexterior lower rear portion of the frame. The utility vehicle caninclude a trailer hitch disposed on an exterior lower rear portion ofthe frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a top view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a front view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a back view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations.

FIGS. 5-7 are diagrams showing a front view of an example footcontrolled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a raisedstanding platform being installed in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with a raised standingplatform installed in accordance with some implementations.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing details of example foot controls inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a top view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that the diagrams described herein are forillustration purposes and may not be to scale. Also, it will beappreciated that any dimensions described herein are example dimensionsfor illustration purposes and other dimensions may be used. Also,standard features of an engine and hydraulic drive system are notdescribed herein for purposes of clarity of presenting the disclosedsubject matter. A standard gasoline lawnmower engine can be used or astandard electric motor may be used. The hydraulic drive and an examplefoot control mechanism is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.6,845,829, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations. In particular, a stand up zero turn utility vehiclewith foot controls 100 can include an engine 102 (e.g., combustionengine or electric motor), a fuel tank (or battery) 104, a left siderear drive wheel 106, a right rear drive wheel (not shown in this view),a single front wheel 108, and a frame including: a front wheel caster110, a front wheel support bracket 112, a rear driver support cushion114, a front driver support cushion 116, a stationary section 118, aleft foot control 120, a right foot control (not shown in this view), afront operator support 122, and a rear operator support 124. Someimplementations can include dual front wheels that can have a smallerdiameter than a single front wheel. A dual front wheel implementationcan include two front wheel assemblies attached to the frame that aresimilar to the single front wheel assembly including 110 and 112, see,e.g., FIG. 11. The dual front wheels can be spaced apart and attached tothe frame near respective sides.

In operation, an operator 126 stands within the standing operationsection 128 (e.g., between the front operator support 122 and the rearoperator support 124), sets the brake control (214, shown in FIG. 2),sets the throttle (210, shown in FIG. 2) and starts the engine using anignition (or power) switch (212, shown in FIG. 2). Once the engine isrunning or (or powered on in the case of an electric motor), theoperator can release the brake control (214) and cause the utilityvehicle to move using the left and right foot controls as described ingreater detail below. The operator 126 can support himself/herself usingthe front operator support 122 and front operator support cushion 116and the rear operator support 124 and rear operator support cushion 114.

The ground clearance of the utility vehicle can be fixed or adjustable.In some implementation, the clearance between the bottom of the utilityvehicle and the ground may be about 5.25 inches to permit the utilityvehicle to move freely over lawns, such as those with St. Augustinegrass, for example, while maintaining a relatively low center of gravityfor stability.

An example utility vehicle may have overall dimensions of about 38.5inches wide and about 54.5 inches long from the front of the front wheelto the rear of the vehicle, with a wheelbase of 35 inches. The frontwheel can include a 13×5.00 tire and the rear drive wheels can include awheel having a 20×7 or 18×8.50 tire, for example. The front wheelsupport bracket may extend about 12 inches from the front operatorsupport 122, which may be about 27⅝ inches high measured from theground. The top of the rear operator support cushion may be about 38 and¾ inches from the ground. The operator standing section 128 may be about18 and ¾ inches from front operator support to rear operator support.The engine section may be about 23 inches from front to rear.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a top view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations. In FIG. 2, the right foot control 202, the sprayer tank204, and the left rear drive wheel 206 are visible. Also shown in FIG. 2is an accessory tray 208.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a front view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations. In FIG. 3, a ballast weight 302 is shown attached to anexterior of the front operator support 122. The ballast weight 302 canbe sized based on the specific implementations details of a utilityvehicle and/or operator weight, height or other characteristics. Also,in FIG. 3, recesses 304 and 306 are shown. These recesses are providedfor mounting a removable elevated standing platform as show in FIGS.5-7.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a back view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle in accordance with someimplementations. In FIG. 4, a pivot member 402 is shown that permits therear operator support cushion 114 to pivot in relation to the rearoperator support 124. FIG. 4 also shows the rear operator support frame404, a sprayer handle 406, a sprayer pump 408, and a spray handle holder410 disposed adjacent to the sprayer tank 204. FIG. 4 also shows a hitch412 and an anti-tip device 414 both attached to a lower rear portion ofthe utility vehicle frame.

FIGS. 5-7 are diagrams showing a front view of an example footcontrolled zero turn radius stand up utility vehicle with an elevatedstanding platform being installed in accordance with someimplementations. An elevated standing platform 502 includes a base foran operator to stand on (as shown in FIG. 8), a railing frame, and afirst leg 504, a second leg 506, and an elevated standing platformsupport member 508. As shown in FIG. 5, the second leg 506 is longerthan the first leg 504 to permit easier insertion of the legs into thecorresponding recesses (304, 306) in the front operator support 122. Asthe elevated platform standing platform 502 is lower into position (FIG.6), the second leg 506 engages with the recess 306 before the first leg504 engages with its corresponding recess 304. This permits an operatorto effectively attach the elevated standing platform 502 one leg at atime. The support member 508 is configured to extend downwardly andengage the front wheel support member 112 to provide additional supportto the elevated platform.

FIG. 7 shows the elevated standing platform 502 fully installed withboth legs (504, 506) fully inserted into corresponding recesses (304,306).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a side view of an example foot controlledzero turn radius stand up utility vehicle 100 with an elevated standingplatform 502 installed in accordance with some implementations andhaving an operator 126 standing on the platform. FIG. 8 also showssupport member 508 engaged with the front wheel support member 112.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing details of example foot controls inaccordance with some implementations. Example dimensions for the footcontrol section shown in FIG. 9 include an “A” dimension of about 26.25inches, a “B” dimension of about 12.5 inches, a “C” dimension of about 7and ⅞ inches, a “D” dimension of about 10.5 inches, and an “E” dimensionof about 7 and ⅞ inches.

As shown in FIG. 10, the left foot control 120 rotates about a pivothinge 1002 and can cause the left rear drive wheel to move in a forwarddirection when the foot control is pivoted in a first direction (e.g.,toward the front of the utility vehicle) and in a reverse direction whenthe foot control is rotated in a second direction (e.g., toward the rearof the utility vehicle). The stationary section 118 has a height(dimension “F” in FIG. 10) of about 3.5 inches.

FIG. 11 shows an example implementation of a foot controlled zero turnradius stand up utility vehicle 1100 having two front wheels and frontwheel assemblies, which include a first front wheel assembly including afirst front wheel 108, a first front wheel caster 110, a first frontwheel support bracket 112, and a second front wheel assembly including asecond front wheel 108′, a second front wheel caster 110′, a secondfront wheel support bracket 112′.

It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance withthe various embodiments disclosed herein, a foot controlled zero turnradius stand up utility vehicle.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number ofembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications andvariations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in theapplicable arts. Accordingly, Applicant intends to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A utility vehicle comprising: a frame having afront operator support, a standing operation section, a rear operatorsupport, a right rear drive wheel and a left rear drive wheel; an enginecoupled to the frame and to a drive system configured to independentlycontrol respective speed and rotation direction of the left rear drivewheel and the right rear drive wheel; and a foot control sectiondisposed in the standing operation section, wherein the foot controlsection includes a left foot control, a stationary center portion and aright foot control, wherein the left foot control and the right footcontrol are parallel to a bottom of the utility vehicle when in aneutral position, and wherein the left foot control and the right footcontrol are perpendicular to the front operator support and the rearoperator support when in the neutral, and wherein the stationary centerportion is elevated so as to extend above the left foot control and theright foot control.
 2. The utility vehicle of claim 1, wherein thestationary center portion is elevated so as to extend above the leftfoot control and the right foot control.
 3. The utility vehicle of claim1, further comprising a removable elevated standing platform having astanding section, railing, a first leg, a second leg, and an elevatedplatform support member connected to the removable elevated standingplatform and configured to engage a front wheel support member.
 4. Theutility vehicle of claim 3, wherein the first leg is longer than thesecond leg.
 5. The utility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising asprayer system including one or more of a sprayer tank, a sprayerhandle, or a sprayer pump coupled to the sprayer tank and the sprayerhandle.
 6. The utility vehicle of claim 5, further comprising a sprayerhandle holder disposed adjacent to the sprayer tank.
 7. The utilityvehicle of claim 1, further comprising an accessory tray disposed on therear operator support and extending toward the engine.
 8. The utilityvehicle of claim 1, wherein the engine is a combustion engine and theutility vehicle includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine.
 9. Theutility vehicle of claim 1, wherein the engine is an electric motor andthe utility vehicle includes a battery to power the electric motor. 10.The utility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an engine starterswitch.
 11. The utility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising athrottle control.
 12. The utility vehicle of claim 1, further comprisinga brake control.
 13. The utility vehicle of claim 1, further comprisinga ballast weight disposed on an exterior of the front operator support.14. The utility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an anti-tipdevice disposed on an exterior lower rear portion of the frame.
 15. Theutility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a trailer hitch disposedon an exterior lower rear portion of the frame.
 16. A utility vehiclecomprising: a frame having a front operator support, a standingoperation section, a rear operator support, a right rear drive wheel anda left rear drive wheel; a drive system configured to independentlycontrol respective speed and rotation direction of the left rear drivewheel and the right rear drive wheel; and a foot control sectiondisposed in the standing operation section, wherein the foot controlsection includes a left foot control, a stationary center portion and aright foot control, wherein at least one of the left foot control or theright foot control rotates about a pivot hinge and causes at least oneof the left rear drive wheel or the right rear drive wheel to move in aforward direction when at least one of the left foot control or theright foot control is pivoted in a first direction and in a reversedirection when at least one of the left foot control or the right footcontrol is rotated in a second direction, and wherein the stationarycenter portion is elevated so as to extend above the left foot controland the right foot control.
 17. The utility vehicle of claim 16, whereinthe first direction is toward a front side of the utility vehicle andthe second direction is toward a rear side of the utility vehicle.
 18. Autility vehicle comprising: a frame having a front operator support, astanding operation section, a rear operator support, a right rear drivewheel and a left rear drive wheel; and a foot control section disposedin the standing operation section, wherein the foot control sectionincludes a left foot control, a stationary center portion and a rightfoot control, wherein the left foot control abuts the stationary centerportion on a left side and the right foot control abuts the stationarycenter portion on a right side, and wherein the stationary centerportion is elevated so as to extend above the left foot control and theright foot control.
 19. The utility vehicle of claim 18, wherein theleft foot control rotates about a pivot hinge and causes the left reardrive wheel to move in a forward direction when the left foot control ispivoted in a first direction and in a reverse direction when the leftfoot control is rotated in a second direction.